As Washington Commanders training camp heats up, one name is consistently emerging from the pack and drawing praise from media members: seventh-round draft pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt. According to 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen, Croskey-Merritt has been particularly impressive, a significant development in a competitive Commanders backfield (video below).
Croskey-Merritt, selected by the Commanders with the 245th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, brings an intriguing skillset to Washington. Standing at 5’10” and 206 pounds, he showcased his athleticism at his Pro Day with a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, a 41.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’04” broad jump. His college career included stints at Alabama State, New Mexico, and Arizona.
In 2023 with New Mexico, he had a standout season, rushing for 1,190 yards on 189 carries with 17 touchdowns. He also had a notable performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he earned Offensive MVP honors with 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. While eligibility issues limited his playing time at Arizona, his flashes of potential have been clear. Scouts have noted his cutback vision, patience, and ability to exploit angles.
The Commanders’ running back situation heading into the 2025 season features a mix of established veterans and promising young talent. Brian Robinson Jr. is currently listed as the primary back, having rushed for a career-high 799 yards in 2024. Joining him is veteran free agent acquisition Austin Ekeler, who brings a strong pass-catching dimension to the backfield and was a primary kick returner for the team last season. Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols are also on the depth chart, adding to the competition for carries and roster spots.
With Robinson Jr. in the final year of his rookie contract and Ekeler looking to prove his continued productivity at 30, the battle for playing time is intense. Croskey-Merritt’s strong showing at camp, which has included making plays and looking quick and decisive, positions him as a player to watch closely. His performance in training camp and the upcoming preseason games will be crucial in determining if he can carve out a role in Washington’s backfield and live up to the early buzz surrounding him.
I grabbed some media members during practice and asked them who has stood out the most so far in training camp.
Lots of love for Jacory Croskey-Merritt. pic.twitter.com/NcYuHQ6xpk
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 28, 2025